Word Origin & History

sheriff late O.E. scirgerefa "representative of royal authority in a shire," from scir (see shire) + gerefa "chief, official, reeve" (see reeve). In Anglo-Saxon England, the representative of royal authority in a shire. As an American county official, attested from 1662; sheriff's sale first recorded 1798.

Example Sentences for sheriff

I've been tryin' to raise the sheriff's office, but they don't seem to answer.

The two hombres shot the sheriff in the arm before he located them and got away.

The 186 colonel summoned the sheriff, who took Joe to his cell.

It would not have been etiquette for the sheriff to come for him.

Even the broad face of the sheriff was crinkled suspiciously.

He had a thankless and dangerous position as the "Murphy sheriff."

They fitted us out with a two-horse wagon and horses, and four men, besides the sheriff, to be our guard.

Bowdre staggered feebly toward the spot where the sheriff was lying.

Towards the close of 1764 his rent was so long in arrear that his landlady one morning called in the help of a sheriff's officer.

"Mr. Keepe, you will not refuse me," said Capitola, turning to the sheriff.